In the oil and gas industry, separators play a critical role in isolating components from fluid mixtures, such as oil, gas, and water, to ensure product quality and operational efficiency. Mechartes specializes in using advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis to optimize the performance of separators.
Our CFD analysis focuses on estimating key phase separation parameters from gas and three-phase fluid streams at both the inlet and outlet. We evaluate the effectiveness of various separation internals and vessel geometries, verifying that oil, gas, and water are separated according to design specifications. This includes calculating the settling velocity of oil droplets in the gas phase, the rising velocity of oil droplets in the water phase, and the settling velocity of water droplets in the oil phase, along with assessing oil carryover and droplet size in both phases.
Additionally, we analyze the performance of different inlet feed devices to determine their impact on phase separation and flow behavior within the settling compartment.
The pressure data obtained from CFD simulations is subsequently used in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to assess the mechanical integrity of internal components and weld attachments within the vessel. This thorough approach adheres to industry codes and standards, such as API 650 and API 620, ensuring that separators meet all required operational and safety criteria.
Based on our analyses, Mechartes provides detailed recommendations and solutions to enhance separator performance, maintain compliance, and improve overall system reliability and efficiency.
Mechartes also has vast experience in carrying out CFD analysis for FPSO equipment to assess sloshing effects and the performance of internals. Our study evaluates phase separation, settling velocities of oil droplets in gas, and gas performance during vessel motion. We also analyzed baffle efficiency under sloshing conditions and provided design recommendations to enhance the performance and reliability of separators and internals.
